Olympic Channel to set first with Pyeongchang 2018 coverage in Indian subcontinent

The International Olympic Committee has revealed that its Olympic Channel will show coverage of the 2018 winter Olympic Games across India and the sub-continent.

Coverage of the Pyeongchang Games, which will begin this Friday, will be available in Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, as well as India.

The IOC said that the free-to-air rights for the Games in Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka had been acquired by the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union.

The Channel will provide live Olympic Games coverage for the first time via its online platform and mobile apps for Android and Apple platforms.

The IOC said that the live coverage would be supported by further coverage on its YouTube channel and “a dedicated Google search experience”.

The IOC will also work with Indian mobile network operator Reliance-Jio to provide comprehensive live coverage through the JioTV app.

Timo Lumme, managing director of IOC Television and Marketing Services, said: “This is an important step for the Olympic Channel as it broadcasts live Olympic Games coverage for the first time ever on the digital platform. 

“Through the Olympic Channel and the additional broadcast on Reliance-Jio's and the relevant ABU members' platforms, we are able to offer comprehensive coverage across the region and ensure fans will be able to follow all the action from PyeongChang 2018.”